Hello,
I am a fairly new fisherman, and I am wanting to switch to braided fishing line for my spinning reel. I mainly fish for bass but will fish for catfish every once, and a while. When I fish for bass, I use buzzbait, and spinnerbait. My reel can hold 8lbs/80yds, and my rod says 6-10lb line...What I am getting at is...
What is the best braided line for fishing bass with a spinning reel?
Thanks for your time. Take care & God bless.
Jonathan B.
Like anything else , it is just a preferance.
I buy whatever is on sale.
I like Power Pro. I have been using P-Line Spectrex 50# for a while, but it digs in.
I use 20 pound Power Pro on my spinning reels. Have no issues or complaints with it. For my uses, I put a fluoro leader on the end of it and toss a lure out.
I am a power pro fan.
Here's some good advice. When you select your braid of choice pay close attention to the diameter rather than the pound test. For spinning gear you want around the diameters of 2-8 lb test. Good choices to start are Power Pro (5-20lb), (Suffix 6-20lb), or whatever line has the qualities you are looking for in a braided line.
If I were you I'd start with 10lb or 15lb power pro because its cost effective, it doesn't break anywhere near 10lbs (closer to 20), and it will tell you what qualities you like and dislike about braid.
Power pro, but always use a fluoro leader unless your using frogs. Frogs are the only topwater lure braid is any good with IMO unless we are talking floating/diving minnows.
After using Power Pro for years, I tried Stren Sonic Braid, and haven't looked back.
The diameters of braided line of the same test strength are so close that it makes no difference to me at all, bit more line on the spool but a bass is not going to spool you anyway. As far as strength goes, they are all real strong and no bass is going to snap your line if your line is good shape and your drag is set properly. If you are targeting other fish you have to match your equipment to your quarry, including line. I use PP only for the convenience and price, 10 or 15# for freshwater, 20 is ok.
Sometimes I get amazed on the size and power of some fish I catch on 15# braid. IMO the key is learning to use your equipment and how to land fish, statistical info can drive you crazy, no need for it.
IMO some braids handle better and have less issues than others. If want the "best" get Daiwa's Samurai, it makes Power Pro look like an ugly red headed step child. ;D
I use suffix 6lb diameter equivalent for my dropshot rod and I really like it. And the only time I found that I need a leader is in gin clear water. The rest of the time I believe it is a preference or confidence thing.
i use powerpro as well. i picked mine up when it went 20% off at sports authority. 50/12 with 10lb CXX leader. no complaints yet.
QuoteIMO some braids handle better and have less issues than others. If want the "best" get Daiwa's Samurai, it makes Power Pro look like an ugly red headed step child. ;D
I agree its the only Braid I fish! its hands down the best you can buy but it isnt cheap. if you have the Koinz buy it.. if not then go with PP or Sufix to get a feel for braid and then buy the Daiwa stuff when you got the money laying around. one thing to remember, most braids are close in DIA. to each other.... The Daiwa stuff is FAR FAR FAR thinner per pound test then any of the others...30# Daiwa braid is about as thin as 10# of other braids... thats not kidding it really is SUPER SUPER thin and it holds knots really good the only down fall to it is because its SO THIN its abrasion Resistance is going to be lower then other braids in the same pound test.. but because its so thin you can always go up in pound test to increase dia to trump that problem.
Ok well so far im leaning towards powerpro. Im getting tired of my line stretching and breaking. Right now I think I have Trilene XT 8lb. Do you guys have any tips for spooling, and using it the first time, etc? Also how long should the flouro leader be and what knots to use to connect the leader? Im fairly new to fishing and want to make sure I am doing it right. Thanks for your guys input. I appreciate it.
I've had the opportunity of speaking with a number of Elite series pros. To a man, they recommend Samurai braid.
I have not used the Samurai braid. From all accounts, it is one heck of a braided line. However, I have used both Power Pro and Sufix Performance Braid. I would recommend the Sufix over the Power Pro. As you go up in size, there are more strands to the braid which make the line more round. Both are very strong, but when I cast and reel, the Sufix feels and performs better for me. It is a few more dollars than the Power Pro but still half the price of Samurai.
If you are new to fishing, I might suggest you hold off on buying two spools of line (braid and fluorocarbon). Start with the braid and work the baits you mentioned. If you feel you are missing bites because fish can see the line, then move on to adding the leader. If you decide to go with the leader, I suggest the uni knot for line-to-line knots. See here for a diagram. http://www.fish4fun.com/Joining2Lines.htm
I'm not much of a finesse fisherman; I don't have the patience for it. I also don't know half of everything there is to know about catching bass. But for me, I think the use of a fluorocarbon leader lends itself to finesse fishing and if you are more into power fishing where you attract reaction strikes, the braid will work just fine for you. Hope this helps.
Whets
8-)
for braid to leader , i find the albright is easier to tie than the uni to uni. the knot is also smaller and passes through guides easier.
i like a longer leader length so i can retie if needed without having to retie the leader/main line knot again. around 5 ft depending on rod length.
i havnt fish the braid without a leader just because the 10lb p-line cxx is already hard to break off. i wouldnt want to try and break off 50lb braid every time i get snagged.
samurai is soft and digs sometimes.fireline braid never digs.all others are pretenders.
GsXtacy, Daiwa's Samurai braid is the BEST for spinning reels.
power pro
I don't recall the Exact number, but 2 or 3 comes to mind, and that's in 6 months. So stating that samuri digs "sometimes" really doesn't seem to be a fair statement unless of course you've experienced it.
QuoteGsXtacy, Daiwa's Samurai braid is the BEST for spinning reels.
Yep just make sure you get 30lb Samurai because its so thin. Fireline would be my second choice, then Power Pro for value.
QuoteI don't recall the Exact number, but 2 or 3 comes to mind, and that's in 6 months. So stating that samuri digs "sometimes" really doesn't seem to be a fair statement unless of course you've experienced it.
i've used it and it digs sometimes.had it on a reel for last year.fireline braid never dug in.the samuria is softer and smoother but the fireline braid is rounder and has more body.if they didn't make the fireline braid i would use the diawa braid as my 2nd choice.
Another line I forgot to mention was Stren's Superbraid, very good, but they discontinued it, I think it was replace with Fusion, but have yet to try it extensively.
I like Sufix
QuoteQuoteI don't recall the Exact number, but 2 or 3 comes to mind, and that's in 6 months. So stating that samuri digs "sometimes" really doesn't seem to be a fair statement unless of course you've experienced it.i've used it and it digs sometimes.had it on a reel for last year.fireline braid never dug in.the samuria is softer and smoother but the fireline braid is rounder and has more body.if they didn't make the fireline braid i would use the diawa braid as my 2nd choice.
Does the Fireline have a waxy coating on it, and how does the diameter compare to the Samuri..? I'm to lazy to look it up.. ;D
Used Suffix Performance Braid on 2 baitcasters and one spinning reel last weekend. Very nice stuff. I liked it better than PowerPro and Fireline.
For all around use and value power pro is hard to beat, but if money is not an issue daiwa samurai braid is the way to go. 8-)
QuoteI like Sufix
I love Sufix Performance Braid. The new Sufix Stretch Braid is awesome on spinning reels. Looking forward to trying the new Sufix 832 Braid.
QuoteQuoteQuoteI don't recall the Exact number, but 2 or 3 comes to mind, and that's in 6 months. So stating that samuri digs "sometimes" really doesn't seem to be a fair statement unless of course you've experienced it.i've used it and it digs sometimes.had it on a reel for last year.fireline braid never dug in.the samuria is softer and smoother but the fireline braid is rounder and has more body.if they didn't make the fireline braid i would use the diawa braid as my 2nd choice.
Does the Fireline have a waxy coating on it, and how does the diameter compare to the Samuri..? I'm to lazy to look it up.. ;D
no waxy coating.i think the diawa is absolutely thinner in the closest pound tests.they are both good i just prefer the fireline braid.if they didn't make it i would buy the diawa.
QuoteGsXtacy, Daiwa's Samurai braid is the BEST for spinning reels.
Spinning:
1. Toray Finesse braid
2. Varivas Finesse braid
3. Everything else
Pitchin'/Flippin':
1. Berkley Fireline braid
QuoteAfter using Power Pro for years, I tried Stren Sonic Braid, and haven't looked back.
X2. It casts a mile and outlasts most other braids I've used.